Amazon Rainforest Becomes a Carbon Source Due to Wildfires

October 22, 2026

The Amazon rainforest has turned into a net carbon emitter, releasing more CO₂ than it absorbs.

Wildfires have become the primary culprit, spewing out 1.47 billion metric tons of CO₂ annually, far surpassing the forest's absorption rate of just 300 million metric tons per year. This shift from carbon sink to source is a stark indicator of the region’s ecological degradation and its vulnerability to climate change.

The Amazon now emits an additional 1.17 billion metric tons of CO₂ each year, transforming it into a significant contributor to global warming rather than a mitigator.

This trend signals long-term environmental damage that could exacerbate climate impacts worldwide. The loss of the rainforest's carbon-absorbing capacity weakens its role in regulating global temperatures.

What is the long-term climate outlook for this region?

The Amazon’s transformation into a net carbon emitter poses severe risks to regional and global climate stability. Continued wildfires could further degrade the rainforest's ability to absorb CO₂, accelerating climate change. Immediate action is needed to curb deforestation and manage fire risks.

The outlook remains grim without significant intervention.

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Wildfires cause Amazon to emit 1.17 billion more metric tons of CO₂ than it absorbs

From 2010 to 2024, the Amazon rainforest—the largest tropical rainforest on the planet—released an average of 1.17 billion metric tons more carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere than it absorbed each year. Wildfires were the main source, emitting approximately 1.47 billion metric tons of CO₂ per year—far exceeding the forest's absorption capacity of 300 million metric tons per year.

phys.org